Hormones and Sleep During the Menopause
Hormones play a powerful role in how well we sleep — from cycle-related changes to the dramatic shifts of perimenopause and menopause. In this blog, Dr Georgina Standen explains how oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol and melatonin interact with the brain’s sleep systems, why insomnia becomes more common in midlife, and which treatments and lifestyle strategies truly make a difference.
How to Naturally Maintain Your Testosterone Levels Through Midlife
Testosterone doesn’t fall off a cliff at menopause — it declines gradually. Learn how nutrition, movement, sleep and stress balance can help preserve your natural levels and energy through midlife.
Understanding Testosterone vs Oestrogen in Midlife: What This New Study Reveals
A new 2025 study has redefined how we understand women’s hormones at midlife. While oestrogen falls sharply around menopause, testosterone declines slowly — influencing energy, libido and wellbeing. Discover what this means for treatment and natural hormone balance.
HRT and Heart Health: Rethinking the ‘Window of Opportunity’ Theory
For years, women were told there was a limited “window of opportunity” to start HRT safely for heart health. New evidence shows this isn’t true. Modern studies reveal that the timing of HRT matters far less than the type, route, and overall cardiovascular profile. Dr Georgina Standen explains why HRT remains safe and beneficial well beyond ten years after menopause when used appropriately.
Progesterone Sensitivity: When Your Hormones Own the Mood
Some women react strongly to progesterone, triggering mood swings, anxiety, or skin changes. Learn which progestins are best tolerated, with evidence-based advice from Dr Georgina Standen at Sirona Health.
Mast Cells, Histamine and Female Hormones: Why Some Women React Differently
If your skin flares up, your gut feels reactive, or you find yourself flushed, itchy, or anxious around your period or during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it. There’s growing evidence that female hormones can directly influence immune cells called mast cells, changing how much histamine your body releases. These hormone–immune interactions may explain why some women experience cyclical symptoms that cross several systems — skin, digestion, mood, and energy — yet have never been fully explained by hormones alone.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Understanding Your Options
Many women experience vaginal dryness, discomfort or urinary changes after menopause — but you don’t have to live with it. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is common and treatable. From moisturisers and lubricants to Gina®, Ovesse®, Imvaggis® and prasterone, discover safe and effective options to restore comfort and confidence.
I Never Tolerated the Pill, So I Can’t Take HRT” – Busting a Common Menopause Myth
Many women worry that because they didn’t tolerate the pill in their 20s, they won’t tolerate HRT in menopause. In reality, the two treatments are very different — HRT uses lower doses of body-identical hormones tailored to your needs, and many women who struggled with the pill find they thrive on HRT.
Dydrogesterone for HRT: Safer Progestogen Choice?
Dydrogesterone is emerging as a progestogen with a gentler side effect and safety profile compared to others. Learn what the latest studies show and whether Estradiol + Dydrogesterone HRT might be the right choice for you.
Slynd®: The New Generation Progesterone-Only Pill Now Available in the UK
Slynd® (drospirenone 4 mg) is reshaping progesterone-only contraception in the UK: predictable dosing, improved tolerability, and effective protection for adults and adolescents
Do You Really Need an Estradiol Blood Test During Menopause?
Many women are told they need an estradiol blood test to confirm menopause or to monitor hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But the truth is, blood levels don’t always reflect what’s happening in your body. In most cases, your symptoms — not a single blood test result — are the most reliable guide. Learn why estradiol testing is rarely necessary, when it can be helpful, and how a personalised approach leads to better menopause care.
Menopause or Thyroid Disease? How to Tell the Difference
Feeling tired, foggy, or just not yourself in midlife? Menopause and thyroid disease share many of the same symptoms — from fatigue and mood swings to weight changes and poor sleep. At Sirona Health, our perimenopause blood panels include thyroid screening, with advanced testing available if needed. Find out how checking both can help you get answers and feel like yourself again.
Identifying Hormone Patterns — Progesterone Decline During the Menopausal Transition
As ovulation slows in midlife, progesterone production drops—often leaving estrogen unopposed. The result? Heavy periods, mood swings, and hormonal imbalance. Learn why progesterone matters in perimenopause and how tracking your hormones with Mira can help you take control.
Testosterone Cream for Postmenopausal Women Now Licensed in the UK
The MHRA has approved a testosterone cream for postmenopausal women in the UK. At Sirona Health, based in Bath, Stroud, Cirencester & Tetbury, you can access this treatment privately now — even before the official UK launch.
Zoely & PMDD: Could This Pill Help Ease Your Symptoms?
Discover how Zoely — a contraceptive pill containing nomegestrol acetate and bioidentical estradiol — may help ease PMDD symptoms. Learn the science, benefits, and how it compares with other pills, so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Clinical Insights on Hormonal Monitoring with Mira and Its Role in Perimenopause Management
Discover how Mira hormonal monitoring provides real-time insights into the fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause. Learn how this advanced tool helps personalise treatment plans, improve symptom management, and guide effective hormone replacement therapy.
Is HRT Right for Me? How Mira Helps Make That Decision Easier
Navigating hormone therapy decisions can be complex. Mira's hormone tracking technology offers personalised insights into your hormonal patterns, helping identify whether estrogen, progesterone, or other factors are contributing to your symptoms. This data empowers you and your healthcare provider to make informed, tailored decisions about HRT, ensuring a treatment plan that aligns with your unique hormonal profile. Discover how Mira can guide you through this important decision-making process.
How the Mira Monitor Can Help You Understand Your Hormone Chaos
Experiencing fatigue, bloating, or mood swings despite normal blood tests? The Mira monitor tracks key hormones—LH, E3G, PdG, and FSH—through daily urine samples, revealing patterns like estrogen dominance or low progesterone. This data helps pinpoint ovulatory cycles and hormonal imbalances, offering clarity during perimenopause. At Sirona Health, we interpret your Mira results in the context of your symptoms, guiding decisions on HRT, supplements, and lifestyle interventions.
Why Perimenopause Feels So Confusing and What You Can Do About It
Are your periods suddenly unpredictable? Mood swings or brain fog creeping in? You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Perimenopause is a hormonal rollercoaster, with fluctuating cycles, sleep issues, anxiety, fatigue, and weight changes—yet a single blood test often misses the bigger picture. At Sirona Health, we use the Mira hormone monitor to track estrogen, LH, FSH, and progesterone levels over time. That way, we can decode how your hormones relate to your symptoms and tailor personalised advice—so you stop guessing and start understanding what’s happening in your body.
Navigating the Decision to Stop HRT: What We Know — and What We Still Don’t
Thinking about stopping HRT? At Sirona Health, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. While HRT offers relief from symptoms like hot flushes and brain fog, the decision to stop depends on your age, symptom severity, and health risks. And with up to 40% of women experiencing a return of symptoms—some restarting HRT later—making the timing and method right is key. Learn what current guidelines say, why research gaps remain, and how we can support you in making a confident, personalised choice.